We decided not to cross the line (Season 1)

Episode 122. Signal tone

We returned after finishing a 4-day trip

to Frigiliana.





It was an unforgettable, wonderful trip, but

after getting Hoonji's question,

I, still unable to answer,

felt as if I were carrying a heavy burden.





In the car on the way back from the trip,

he said.





"I don't want to force a choice.

I made mine, and now it's your turn.

Whatever choice you make... it's up to you."





I still didn't have the courage to leap into his life.


As the price of liking him,

I was afraid of the many things





I would have to bear.

We set that matter aside and





went on with our daily life as before the trip.

Hoonji went out to work out, and

I stayed home cleaning,





it was a weekend afternoon.

My phone rang, and when I checked,




it was Director Kim.




"Oh. Taehyung.




"Did you get back from the trip okay?"




"Yeah."





"Is Hoonji next to you by any chance?"

"No. He went out to work out.





I'm alone."





"Did Hoonji tell you about the movie?"

"He didn't go into detail.

He only said the filming was starting soon, so he wouldn't do it."





"The production company is a major one,

and the director has worked with Hoonji before.

The script is solid too, so there's no reason to pass on it.

Honestly, you'd be an idiot to miss an opportunity like this."





"..."




"Are you even listening to me?"




"Yeah. I am.

You called to ask me to convince Hoonji, right?"





"There's no need to fill out the whole year.

He could come back early if needed and things like that.

Right?"





"That's true, but...

the problem is, if you want him to do the movie,

the problem is that you're asking me to make a decision too..."




"What decision are you supposed to make?"





"To go back to Korea together..."





"Ah...

So you're still not resolved about the two of you?"





"Yeah..."




"Then from your position,

you can't really persuade him actively."





"I don't want Hoonji to miss out on such a good opportunity either,

but...

making a decision about Hoonji right now

is hard for me too."





"I see. If that's the situation...

then it'd be hard for me to ask you either.

From my side, I'll have no choice but to persuade Hoonji more."





"I'm sorry I can't help..."





"No...

it's not something you can help, given your position."





After ending the call with Director Kim,

I had no idea what choice

I was supposed to make.





I couldn't tell him to choose the movie,

and I couldn't tell him I would go back to Korea

with him either.





If I stayed home,

I felt like I'd just keep thinking about it,

so I grabbed a book and went outside.





I thought about going to the park,

then changed course toward Miguel's cafe.

I wanted to talk with him about this and that.





On a weekend afternoon,

there were already a few customers sitting inside the cafe.





"Sophie. What brings you here on the weekend?

You don't do translation work on weekends, right?"




"I just came out to read a book or two."




"Ah... then...

Could you help me for a bit?"





"With what...?"





"The coffee bean delivery is going to be

a little later than scheduled,

so I'm going to go get it myself.

Could you watch the cafe for a bit?"





"I can't make coffee, you know?"





"No. You don't need to make anything,

just keep an eye on the customers here for a bit.

If there were no one here, I'd lock up and go, come back,

but I can't do that."





"Ah... if it's that, I'll stay here.

Don't worry and go ahead."





"Thank you.

Instead, when I get back,

I'll make you some delicious coffee."




"Sounds good."




I saw Miguel off

and sat at a table.





While I was reading,

the customers left one by one,

and in the end I was left alone.




'I guess now I need to

wrap up my life here and go back to Korea...

When would be the best time...?'




I couldn't focus on the book.




Then the cafe door opened,

and Miguel came in.




In his arms

was a sack of coffee beans.




"Were there any new customers?"




"No. After Miguel left,

no customers came in."





"I just got some fresh beans,

so I'm going to make you coffee. Give it a try."




"Can I look forward to it?"




"Of course!"




As Miguel opened the bean sack,

he said while looking my way.




"There was a traffic accident downtown earlier.

They say an Asian man was hit by a car

and taken to the hospital."




"An Asian man?"




"Yes.

Maybe he was a tourist..."




At that moment,

Hoonji came to mind.




'It's been quite a while since he went out to work out,

so why hasn't he called me...?'




I hurriedly took out my phone

and dialed his number.




The ringing went on for a long time.




But

he didn't answer.




"Hoonji!!!"